Switch



Patented May 31, 1927.

UNEF.

CLARENCE H. WILLIAMS, OF DECJR a IIGAN, ASSEGNOR TO THE STUDEBAKER CORPORATION, OF SOUTH BEND, ITJDIJLNA, A CORPORATION OF NEW JERSEY.

Application filed March 12, 1925.

This invention relates to improvements in electrical switches and particularly to that type designed for use in connection with the steering mechanism of motor vehicles for controlling the circuit through an electric warning signal.

One of the objects of the present invention is to provide an electric switch of the push button type which is simple in construction, economical to manufacture which is easily accessible, and is easily removable from the steering mechanism.

Another object is to provide an electric switch of the push button type with a new and novel means for securing the same in position on the steering mechanism of a motor vehicle.

A still further object is to provide the base for a circuit closing switch with flattened sides substantially ninety degrees apart, one side having a depression to en gage with a hook shaped finger positioned in a housing member to prevent the base portion from rotating and which in co-op eration with the other flat side engaging with a flat finger; provides a means whereby the switch may be easily removed.

These being among the objects of the present invention, the same consists of certain features of construction and combination of parts to be hereinafter described with reference to the accompanying drawing and then claimed, having the above and other objects in view.

In the accompanying drawing which i1- lustrates a suitable embodiment of the pres ent invention, and in which like numerals refer to like parts throughout the several diflerent views,

Figure 1. is a section taken through a por-- tion of a steering wheel and column showing the gas and spark controls provided with a horn push button secured to the upper portion thereof. v

Figure 2 is a section. of the button base and spider assembly taken substantially ninety degrees to the section shown in Figure 1.

Figure 3 is a side view of the base portion of the button.

Figure 4 is a section of the base portion taken on the line H of Figure 3v Serial No. 15,051.

Figure 5 is an elevation of the housing member.

F'gure G is a section of the housing member taken on the line 66 of Figure 5.

Figure 7 is a perspective view of the push button spider showing the slotted side portions.

As illustrated by Figure l, a steering wheel 11 is shown secured to the steering post 12 by the key 13 and nut 14. Surrounding tue steering post 12 is the steering post housing 15 which extends up into the hub portion 16 of the wheel 11, said housing 15 being fixed in the dash to prevent rotation thereof.

Two concentric tubes 17 and 18 for operating the carburetor and spark controls respectively. are positioned within and concentric; lly of the steering post 12, the upper end of tube 17 extending up above the nut- 1% at the top of the post 12 to allow the ring 19 to be clamped around it by the screw 20. A cover 21 encloses the ring 19 and an arm for operating the tube 17 is threaded into the ring 13 through an opening in the cover 21.. The tube 18 projects up above the end of the tube 1.7 and is likewise provided with i clamping ring 23 and tightening screw l, a cover or housing 25 and an operating rm 26.

The housing 25 also constitutes a portion of the circuit closing switch and is provided with an upwardly extending central tubular portion 27. the upper face of which forms a contacting surface and which also serves a housing for the base 28. The base 28 is of bakelite or some similar substance and formed with a. central opening 29 within which is positioned a sleeve 30 provided with a flanged end which seats in an enlarged poi ion of the opening 29.

The movable portion of the switch constitutes a removable button or cap 31 mounted on a spider 32 having a plurality of downwardly extending bow-shaped fingers circumfereutially positioned, as shown in Figure 7. The spider 32 is slidably positioned on a flanged pin member 83 which is suitably held in the sleeve 30, the lower end being rolled over the bottom face of the sleeve 80. The spider 32 is normally held against the flanged portion of the pin 33 by a coil spring 34 which is interposed between the inner surface of the spider 32 and the upper face of the base 28. The cap 31 securely held around the spider 32 by the tension in the spring fingers and is provided with a recess to allow the flanged portion of the pin 33 to extend thereinto when the switch is depressed to operative position.

The base 28 is provided with two vertical flat faces 36 and 37 substantially at right angles to each other. the face 37 being formed with a depression 38 near the top, which faces engage with two spring fingers 39 and 40 respectively, provided in the tubular portion 27. likewise substantially at right angles to each other. The fingers 39 and are bent inwardly at the top and the finger 10 is provided with an inwardly extending curved end which drops into engagement with the depression 38 formed 1n the face 37. The combination of these elements provides a means for preventing the base 28 from rotating in the housing and also-prevents it from being lifted vertically out of the housing unless considerable pressure is exerted, which in case it is desired to remove the base 28 eliminates the use of screws, bolts and other fastening means such has been previously used in switches of this type.

The switch is connected to a warning sig- -nal by an insulated cable 41 which extends up through the tube 17 into an opening 42 1n the pin member 33 and is securely held therein by a screw 43 which is threaded through the sleeve and pin 83 and forces the wire in the end of the cable 41 firmly against the walls of the opening 42.

The circuit is closed by the contacting of the spider 32 with the upper face of the tubular portion 27 of the housing 25. Due tothe construction of the movable portion of the switch, contact between the spider 32 and housing 25 can be made by depressing the button vertically or by tilting it by exerting pressure'at any angle.

Although I hate applied the present in vention to a switch of this type, it is to be thoroughly understood that it is equally applicable to any circuit closing switch of a depressible nature.

Formal changes may be made in the specific embodiment of the invention described without departing from the spirit and substance of the broad invention the scope of which is commensurate with the appended claims.

lVhat I claim is 1. A switch comprising a cylindrical cage having upwardly extending sprii'ig lingers formed therein, one of said fingers having its upper end bcnl inwardly and then outwardly to form a hooked portion, and a tiltable switch mechanism comprising an insulating member insertablc in said cage, a spider forming a plurality of spring lingers secured to said member, and a cap removably secured to said spider, said insulating member having flat faces against which said. first-named spring fingers hear, one of said flat faces being provided with a recess for receiving said hooked portion to resiliently retain said switch mechanism in fixed position with respect to said cage.

2. A switch comprising a cylindrical cage having upwardly extending inwardly bent spring fingers substantially at right angles to eachother, one of said fingers being provided with an inwardly extending protuberance, and a switch mechanism comprising an insulating base member insertable into said cage at the end opposite said housing, a spider forming a plurality of spring lingers secured to said member, and a cap removably secured to said spider, said base member being provided with axially parallel flat surfaces substantiallyat right angles to each other'against whichsaid first-named fingers hear, one of said flat surfaces being provided with a depression for receiving said protuberance onsaid finger.

3. A switch comprising a tubular supporting member, an insulated base member, a spider member resiliently and tiltably mounted on said base member, and a button removably secured to said spider, said tubular supporting member being provided with an inwardly bent spring finger formed out of the walls thereof and terminating in an inwardly extending protuberance, said base member being received in said tubular supporting member and being provided with a recess for receiving said protuberance whereby to resiliently hold said base member against axial movement.

Signed by me at Detroit, Michigan, U. S. A., this 5th day of March, 1925.

CLARENCE H. \VI LLIAll IS.

Ion 

